Why Cheruiyot Kirui‘s Body May Be Left Forever In The Mountain: A Breakdown Of The Cost And Risky Task Retrieving Bodies From Mt. Everest

The repartition process is typically associated with exorbitant charges, which can occasionally reach tens of thousands of dollars.

For a retrieval to happen, a group of rescuers or Sherpas is required as they can unearth frozen corpses and carry the added weight down a hazardous mountain.

The article notes that the expense of recovering a single body can be as much as 100,000 dollars or even higher making it impossible for bodies to be recovered.

Some of the challenges include:

The Harsh Environment

Extreme Altitude and Weather: The upper reaches of Everest, known as the “death zone” above 8,000 meters, are characterized by extreme cold, high winds, and low oxygen levels. These conditions not only make climbing physically demanding but also severely hinder rescue and recovery operations. Temperatures can drop to -40 degrees Celsius, and wind speeds can exceed 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour), creating a perilous environment for any recovery team.

Lack of Oxygen: At such high altitudes, the oxygen levels are only about a third of what they are at sea level. This scarcity of oxygen leads to rapid fatigue, impaired judgment, and a high risk of altitude sickness. Even experienced climbers find it difficult to perform basic tasks, let alone the strenuous work of body retrieval.

Logistical Challenges

Technical Difficulties: Retrieving a body from Everest requires navigating steep, icy slopes, crevasses, and seracs (towering blocks of ice). Many bodies lie in inaccessible or dangerous locations, making it almost impossible to reach them without significant risk.

Weight and Equipment: Bodies often freeze and become as heavy as 300 pounds (136 kilograms) due to the added weight of the ice and snow. Carrying such weight down treacherous terrain is a Herculean task, requiring specialized equipment like pulleys, ropes, and sleds. Moreover, every team member involved in the operation must carry their survival gear, which adds to the logistical burden.

Limited Window of Opportunity: The best times for recovery missions are during the brief climbing seasons in spring (May) and fall (September). Even then, weather windows can be narrow, sometimes only a few days, which limits the time available for safe retrieval operations.

High Costs

1. Expensive Operations: Recovery missions are highly specialized and require significant financial resources. The cost can range from 30,000 dollars to 100,000 dollars per body, depending on the location and difficulty of the retrieval. This includes paying for skilled Sherpas, helicopter support, equipment, and other logistical expenses.

2. Insurance and Permits: In addition to the operational costs, there are expenses related to insurance and permits. Climbing permits alone can cost more than 20 dollars per person, and additional fees may be required for rescue and recovery operations. Insurance is necessary to cover potential medical evacuations and other unforeseen incidents.

Human Risks and Ethical Considerations

1. Risk to Rescuers: The safety of those attempting the retrieval is paramount. Sherpas and other climbers who assist in these missions put their lives at significant risk. The danger of avalanches, falling ice, and sudden weather changes is ever-present. Many have died in the process of rescuing others or retrieving bodies, making it a perilous endeavor.

About 300 climbers have died since Everest was first conquered in 1953, and at least 100 — maybe 200 — corpses remain on the mountain. Most are hidden in deep crevasses or covered by snow and ice, but some are visible and have become macabre landmarks, earning nicknames for their plastic climbing boots, colorful parkas, or final resting poses.

The most difficult bodies to retrieve are near the 8850m summit in the low-oxygen area known by mountaineers as the death zone.

Nearly 300 people died on the mountain in that period according to the Himalayan Database. Nepal officials estimate that about 200 bodies remain scattered across Everest.

Red signs showing points of bodies scattered.